Several churches in Pakistan have been forced to close after Islamist extremists declared they are seeking revenge for the burning of the Qur’an outside a mosque in Stockholm, Sweden on the Muslim holiday of Eid Al-Adha, a bishop has said.

Heightened security risks present a fresh challenge for a Church already under pressure in a country where at least 57 allegations of blasphemy were legally registered during the first five months of 2023.

Bishop Yousaf Sohan of Multan told Catholic charity Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) that the Pakistani Government insisted that churches and other Church buildings, including schools, increase security measures in response to growing fears of extremist attacks.

Lahore-based Islamist group Lashkar-e-Jhangvi has threatened to carry out suicide bombings against Pakistan’s churches in retaliation for the Qur’an burning by an Iraqi atheist.